Peterborough woman charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Peterborough, ON (June 11, 2018) – A 56-year-old woman from Peterborough has been charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty under the Ontario SPCA Act following an investigation into the treatment of horses, sheep and dogs in her care.

The Ontario SPCA launched an investigation in April 2018 after receiving concerns for the welfare of animals on a rural farm property. An Ontario SPCA officer with the Peterborough Humane Society attended and Ontario SPCA orders were issued to provide the animals with the standards of care required by law.

When the accused failed to comply with those orders, an Ontario SPCA officer executed a warrant on May 30, 2018. Under the certificate of a veterinarian, the officer removed one horse, one goat, three dogs and 22 sheep that were found to be emaciated and in need of care. The animals are now in the custody of the Peterborough Humane Society and are receiving the care they require.

The Ontario SPCA has charged the owner of the animals with 33 counts of animal cruelty:• 8 counts of permitting an animal to be in distress• 4 counts of failing to provide adequate and appropriate medical attention• 8 counts of failing to provide care necessary for general welfare• 1 count of failing to provide adequate and appropriate sanitary conditions• 5 counts of failing to provide adequate and appropriate food and water• 7 counts of failing to comply with an order

The accused is due to appear in a Peterborough Provincial Offences Court on August 16, 2018.

“There are no excuses for failing to provide the appropriate care for your animals,” says Alison Green, Senior Inspector, Ontario SPCA. ““If you have animals in your care, you have an ethical and legal obligation to provide the necessary requirements for those animals.”

Protecting animals since 1873, the Ontario SPCA is Ontario's animal welfare organization. A registered charity, the Society is comprised of close to 50 Communities.

Since 1919, when Ontario's first animal welfare legislation was proclaimed, the Ontario SPCA, with the help of its Communities, has been entrusted to maintain and enforce animal welfare legislation. The Act provides Ontario SPCA agents and inspectors with police powers to do so.